Wicked: Part 1

The musical adaptation is winning, if overstuffed

Broadway musicals don’t always translate seamlessly to the big screen. While there have been hits like Chicago (2002), there have also been duds such as Cats (2019) and Dear Evan Hansen (2021). Jon M. Chu successfully brought In the Heights (2021) to the screen, though its release during the pandemic hindered its success. Now, the American director gets a second chance at adapting a Broadway sensation with Wicked: Part 1 (2024).

Wicked: Part 1 adapts the Broadway prequel to The Wizard of Oz (1939), reimagining the infamous Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo). The film follows Elphaba as she enters school as an outcast, struggling with her green skin and clashing with the popular and bubbly Galinda (Ariana Grande). She bonds with her professors—the powerful sorceress Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) and the wise, talking goat Dr. Dillamond (Peter Dinklage). However, Elphaba’s deepest desire is to visit the Emerald City and meet the all-powerful Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum), hoping he can change her appearance and help her fit in.

With the largest budget of his career, Chu wisely invests in practical sets and costumes rather than relying on excessive CGI. This, along with a direct translation of the stage production’s rhythms and beats, creates the sensation of a live Broadway performance rather than a traditional film. While this approach has its strengths—offering a refreshing tone and theatrical energy for audiences accustomed to the subtler performances of movie musicals—it also has drawbacks. At times, actors pause after delivering a joke or ending a song, seemingly waiting for a non-existent audience’s laughter or applause. These moments create an awkwardness that disrupts the flow of scenes.

As with any musical, the songs are key to the film’s success, and Wicked's beloved score and lyrics already prove up to the task. However, another crucial element—choreography—is less effectively utilized. Despite an extensive ensemble of dancers, Chu’s camera fails to showcase them properly. In In the Heights, musical numbers featured close-ups of lead singers before pulling back to reveal dynamic, synchronized choreography. In Wicked, wide shots are scarce, with the camera instead favoring low and tight angles that deprive viewers of fully appreciating the dance sequences.

At nearly three hours—and only the first half of the story—the film feels unnecessarily long. Several moments could have been trimmed, from an overlong and heavy-handed expository prologue to songs that, while cherished by die-hard fans, don’t meaningfully advance the narrative. That said, the film’s pacing never drags, thanks to the magnetic performances of Erivo and Grande. Their chemistry, comedic timing, and charm keep the story engaging. Grande, in particular, is a revelation. While she gained early acting experience on Nickelodeon’s Victorious (2010–2013) and showcased her comedic chops on Saturday Night Live (1975–), Wicked allows her to fully display both her extraordinary vocal talent and a newfound theatrical range, hinting at an exciting future in film. Meanwhile, Erivo brings her signature dramatic intensity and powerhouse vocals, making the role of Elphaba her own—a daunting feat, given Idina Menzel’s legendary Broadway performance.

Despite its overstuffed runtime and occasionally clunky staging of musical numbers, Wicked: Part 1 succeeds as a standalone film. It delivers satisfying character arcs while leaving enough unresolved threads for its concluding chapter. While Chu’s framing choices sometimes undermine the spectacle, the film’s irresistible songs and stellar lead performances ensure Wicked is an enchanting and entertaining ride for the holidays.

7.6/10